- ruse (n.)
- early 15c., "dodging movements of a hunted animal," from Old French ruse (14c.), noun use of ruser "to dodge, repel, retreat," from Latin recusare "deny, reject, oppose," from re- intensive prefix, + causari "plead as a reason, object, allege," from causa "reason, cause." Or the French word may be from Latin rursus "backwards." "A French word neither elegant nor necessary." [Johnson] But the verb ruse was used in Middle English.